Profile

Nelson Fraley

Education

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the
shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac
Newton

The product of a military family, Nelson was raised in Washington state after his father's final duty station assignment at Fort Lewis in 1976. Nelson Sr. was a recipient of the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. My mother and father taught me invaluable life lessons I use everyday.

In his 40 years in the Pacific Northwest, he attended schools in Washington and Oregon. After a class one day at WSU, Nelson was approached by Political Science Professor Fernando Padilla and asked if law school was being considered as a future option. From that day forward, law school never left his mind. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts from Washington State University in 1991, Nelson enrolled at Willamette University College of Law in 1993. During law school in Salem, Oregon, he worked for the Oregon Attorney General's Office as a law clerk from 1994-1996. Upon graduating from Willamatte in 1996, Nelson accepted the position and worked as the Judicial Assistant to the Honorable Judge Brian Tollefson, Pierce County Superior Court, Department 8.

Experience

Fighting for your rights through determined and relentless representation.

Nelson has worked in the field of personal injury law as a tireless advocate his entire career. He first worked as an insurance defense attorney and then advocating for victims of negligent acts. As a trial attorney Nelson's efforts litigating, arbitrating and mediating cases have resulted in compensation to clients totaling millions of dollars.

Nelson began his practice career with the firm of Phillips & Webster in 1998. While with Phillips & Webster, he gained invaluable trial experience in personal injury law under the tutelage of R. Glenn Phillips and KC Webster. He returned to his Tacoma roots in 1999 by joining the former McCormick Hoffman law firm. Eventually, the name of the firm established in 1959 was changed to Faubion, Reeder, Fraley & Cook. We are now the Alliance Law Group.

As a partner in the Alliance Law Group, Nelson has maintained his fighting spirit by working with clients who allow me to "work smarter not meaner or louder."

Practice Styles

"I made up my mind that if I got through this war I would study law and use my time fighting for those who could not strike back." Charles Houston

The law can be difficult to understand with its many nuances. Nelson is driven to comprehend legal issues on behalf of his clients and have represented hundreds of injured clients related to personal injury law, catastrophic injuries and death. Wrongful employment terminations have also been a significant part of Nelson's legal practice. "Every person has legal rights, and when those rights are violated society suffer." This has been his philosophy since law school.

After Five

"Anything is possible." Unknown

When not practicing law, Nelson is engaged in the 3 sport discipline of triathlon. Having run track at Clover Park High School and WSU, the running came naturally even though the miles were not. No one will ever accuse Nelson of being a fish in the water, and it is quite evident he is not streamlined on a bike. He has, however, completed every triathlon he has entered. This includes 3 full Ironman events (2.4 miles swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run, all to be completed in a single day), 3 Ironman 70.3 events and many Olympic distance and Sprint distance triathlons. Participating in triathlons and running marathons has given Nelson a greater focus and appreciation for "staying the course" and maintaining determination.

Nelson lives by the four axioms that describes his personality: desire, determination, courage, and passion. These axioms are concepts he teaches to his daughter and son in their lives and as they play soccer and football respectively.